Whether it was being raised by my mother, who is a school librarian, or that some of my earliest memories are of storytimes and book events at my local library, the importance of libraries—both local and academic—have always been a pressing thought in my consciousness.
It was only upon starting university in 2023 that I realised, perhaps naively, that this view was not a commonly shared one. I met many peers who had never owned a library card, which are usually free, been in their local library or even spoken to a librarian. Upon further reflection, I soon realised this lapse in what seemed to me as the use of an essential resource was not personal, nor was it for want of trying. Rather, not knowing where to start. If a love of reading and libraries is not instilled from a young age, why would this carry forth into university? If libraries weren’t seen in childhood as accessible and free spaces for everyone, no wonder I met so many peers who had never owned a library card – the most essential piece of kit that framed my childhood, and indeed adulthood.
The fault—if there is one—of course does not lie with librarians, who tirelessly work to keep local and academic libraries a safe and inclusive space free for everyone to access. In an era of library cuts and global censorship, libraries are facing increasing threats to their legitimacy and accessibility, something our own Librarians here at The University of Edinburgh are increasingly aware of. Louise Gilchrist (EdHelp services manager), when asked about the most pressing issue facing our libraries today, stated that the defunding of public libraries is a “cultural catastrophe”, commenting on how this defunding has led to many public libraries being staffed by volunteers, who, while friendly and approachable, and oftentimes well equipped to aid in enquiries, are undertrained. The ‘running’ of many libraries by well-meaning volunteers has arisen “largely from a general undervaluing of the service that libraries and librarians provide.” Louise urges students to engage with the breadth of support librarians can offer and be less frightened to ask questions: “The days of the librarian wandering around going ‘Shush!’ at people are long behind us, thank goodness!”
Speaking with Ruthanne Baxter, the Civic Engagement Manager for the Heritage Collections, regarding how to ‘save’ our libraries, which are at such a high risk of defunding and -certainly in the US- censorship and literary restrictions, she stated, quite simply “Use them”, while Louise urges students to “Have a careful think about how you cast your vote!”, to avoid similar trends of censorship which have been seen in the US, following the re-election of President Trump.
Ruthanne encourages students to step behind the desk, so to speak, to engage with the library staff who keep our libraries afloat, ask questions, and learn what resources are at your disposal, for which there are so many. Ruthanne, for instance, heads the University’s heritage collections, which is far more than archival and preservation work. The aim in Ruthanne’s words is “to support communities living with inequality, make the changes that matter to them.” The team’s communities of focus include young people living in areas of deprivation, and those living with mental health difficulties and the impact of loneliness and isolation.
Ruthanne urges students to engage with this resource and welcomes volunteers across all sites. You can access the Heritage Collections from the Centre for Research Collections on the sixth floor of the Main Library, St Cecilia’s Hall and Music Museum in the Cowgate, the Anatomical Museum, and the Exhibition Gallery on the ground floor of the Main Library.
Clearly, being a librarian is more than shelving books and yelling shush at students who are quietly—or not so quietly—eating their meal deals in the corner. But it is this common misconception which breeds a fear surrounding accessing libraries. Oftentimes, the majority of work goes on behind the scenes, with both Louise and Ruthanne demonstrating that the role of someone providing library services goes beyond the surface level. Both pointed to the common misunderstanding students have of the role of a librarian, and wish students were more aware of the services offered both in person and online. Librarians go into the role, yes, for the love of books—how could they not? —but also, primarily for a will to help people. Libraries are political; they always have been, so think about how you vote, engage with your librarians, ask questions, or simply say hello, and learn what resources there are to offer. And get a library card!
Illustration via Berenika Murray for The Student
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Beyond the ‘shush’: The importance of libraries, and the librarians who keep them running
Whether it was being raised by my mother, who is a school librarian, or that some of my earliest memories are of storytimes and book events at my local library, the importance of libraries—both local and academic—have always been a pressing thought in my consciousness.
It was only upon starting university in 2023 that I realised, perhaps naively, that this view was not a commonly shared one. I met many peers who had never owned a library card, which are usually free, been in their local library or even spoken to a librarian. Upon further reflection, I soon realised this lapse in what seemed to me as the use of an essential resource was not personal, nor was it for want of trying. Rather, not knowing where to start. If a love of reading and libraries is not instilled from a young age, why would this carry forth into university? If libraries weren’t seen in childhood as accessible and free spaces for everyone, no wonder I met so many peers who had never owned a library card – the most essential piece of kit that framed my childhood, and indeed adulthood.
The fault—if there is one—of course does not lie with librarians, who tirelessly work to keep local and academic libraries a safe and inclusive space free for everyone to access. In an era of library cuts and global censorship, libraries are facing increasing threats to their legitimacy and accessibility, something our own Librarians here at The University of Edinburgh are increasingly aware of. Louise Gilchrist (EdHelp services manager), when asked about the most pressing issue facing our libraries today, stated that the defunding of public libraries is a “cultural catastrophe”, commenting on how this defunding has led to many public libraries being staffed by volunteers, who, while friendly and approachable, and oftentimes well equipped to aid in enquiries, are undertrained. The ‘running’ of many libraries by well-meaning volunteers has arisen “largely from a general undervaluing of the service that libraries and librarians provide.” Louise urges students to engage with the breadth of support librarians can offer and be less frightened to ask questions: “The days of the librarian wandering around going ‘Shush!’ at people are long behind us, thank goodness!”
Speaking with Ruthanne Baxter, the Civic Engagement Manager for the Heritage Collections, regarding how to ‘save’ our libraries, which are at such a high risk of defunding and -certainly in the US- censorship and literary restrictions, she stated, quite simply “Use them”, while Louise urges students to “Have a careful think about how you cast your vote!”, to avoid similar trends of censorship which have been seen in the US, following the re-election of President Trump.
Ruthanne encourages students to step behind the desk, so to speak, to engage with the library staff who keep our libraries afloat, ask questions, and learn what resources are at your disposal, for which there are so many. Ruthanne, for instance, heads the University’s heritage collections, which is far more than archival and preservation work. The aim in Ruthanne’s words is “to support communities living with inequality, make the changes that matter to them.” The team’s communities of focus include young people living in areas of deprivation, and those living with mental health difficulties and the impact of loneliness and isolation.
Ruthanne urges students to engage with this resource and welcomes volunteers across all sites. You can access the Heritage Collections from the Centre for Research Collections on the sixth floor of the Main Library, St Cecilia’s Hall and Music Museum in the Cowgate, the Anatomical Museum, and the Exhibition Gallery on the ground floor of the Main Library.
Clearly, being a librarian is more than shelving books and yelling shush at students who are quietly—or not so quietly—eating their meal deals in the corner. But it is this common misconception which breeds a fear surrounding accessing libraries. Oftentimes, the majority of work goes on behind the scenes, with both Louise and Ruthanne demonstrating that the role of someone providing library services goes beyond the surface level. Both pointed to the common misunderstanding students have of the role of a librarian, and wish students were more aware of the services offered both in person and online. Librarians go into the role, yes, for the love of books—how could they not? —but also, primarily for a will to help people. Libraries are political; they always have been, so think about how you vote, engage with your librarians, ask questions, or simply say hello, and learn what resources there are to offer. And get a library card!
Illustration via Berenika Murray for The Student
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